LETTER: Amazed at SAISD's decision on speech

First, let me begin by saying that I am a Democrat. Also, I have a son in third grade who attended SAISD until this year when we choose to move him to TLC Academy.

I am amazed and saddened that a speech being given by the highest elected official in the country is not going to be shown. I am not amazed, however, for the reason being given for not showing it.

The original article states that the administration was “inundated” with phone calls from parents who did not want their children to see the speech. However, none called to support it.

My belief is that this is because the parents who had no problem with their students seeing it never thought that they would have to call and support this. I wouldn’t have thought to call and say that it should be shown; I would have assumed it would have been.

I do realize the lesson plans that were sent might have triggered some of this response. However, these were merely suggestions. And what is wrong with asking kids how they can help the president and in turn the country? Now that the lesson plans have been modified, what is there to worry about?

Assuming that this is nothing more than a stay-in-school speech (there were also speeches given by Presidents Reagan and George H.W. Bush) why is anyone opposed to it?

It saddens me that the SAISD is so closed-minded and so easily swayed that this will not be offered to any SAISD student. When did we stop supporting our president? Not to follow blindly but to support those who lead us?

Finally, I want to say that if we had a Republican president and the same anger for a stay-in-school speech, I would be just as angry and want it shown. And since it doesn’t appear that our kids will hear it from the president: Stay in school.